Dublin Garden Squares Day – A Great Success!
Published on: July 9, 2010 Share: 
Dublin Civic Trust would like to thank all of those who made the inaugural Dublin Garden Squares Day on Saturday 3rd July such a marvellous success. Hundreds of people took part in botanical, landscape and architectural tours, from Parnell Square to St. Stephen’s Green, while many more enjoyed the festivities held in Merrion Square, Mountjoy Square and the Green.
The aim of the event was to synergize the rich historical, architectural and landscape inheritance of the five major Georgian squares in Dublin through a series of events held on a single day, celebrating these gracious spaces as the major cultural asset that they comprise for the city.
Crowds enjoying the sunshine, music and food in Merrion Square
On the north side, there was music, face painting and an animated tour by Ruadhán MacEoin in Mountjoy Square and an historical and architectural tour of Parnell Square by architect James Kelly. On the south side, Geraldine Walsh, CEO of Dublin Civic Trust gave a tour of the history and architecture of Merrion Square, as did Graham Hickey of Dublin Civic Trust with St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square. Eileen Brennan of the Office of Public Works gave tours of the gardens of St. Stephen’s Green, while Joe McConville gave a fascinating guided walk through the trees and planting of Merrion Square.
Other events included the very popular simultaneous chess exhibition with Sam Collins, International Chessmaster and former Irish National Chess Champion in the Green, and music and balloon fun in Merrion Square. The giant hot air balloon commemorating the hydrogen balloon flight by Richard Crosbie, Ireland’s first aviator, in July 1785 fell foul to the unpredictable Irish weather when the wind got too strong for a launch, but the event provided for a spectacle nonetheless!
Hot air balloon battling with the weather in Merrion Square
The day was suitably rounded off with a hugely entertaining performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in Fitzwilliam Square, directed by Valerie O'Connor and Eamonn Hearns. Nearly 200 people attended, complete with picnic baskets, blankets and a bottle of wine or two...
Evening performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in the gracious environment of Fitzwilliam Square
Dublin Civic Trust gratefully acknowledges the assistance of all of those who generously gave their time to make the day such a success, and in particular our principal sponsors, without whom the event (like the balloon) would never have got off the ground. Our thanks are extended to the ESB, Dublin Tourism, Luas, Dublin City Council, Office of Public Works, National Museum of Ireland and National Gallery of Ireland. Also for all of those who took part in the day, attending tours and events in the squares, we thank you for engaging with the city and hope it sparks a wider interest in and awareness of Dublin's unique built heritage.
We look forward to an even bigger and better Dublin Garden Squares Day next year!
